Prioritizing Community Outreach

Due to the high prevalence rate of WRIs and the increased demands for PTs and OTs projected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (Campo & Darragh, 2010), the impact of work-related pain and injuries on manual therapists needs further research and exploration. While research may be minimal on this topic, it has constructed a concrete, foundational understanding of the cause and effect of work-related pain and injury in therapists who use manual techniques and the impact it has on their quality of life. Work-related pain and injury have a negative impact on therapists that extends beyond the workplace which has led to both mental and physical burnout. This population is underserved, at-risk, and demonstrates the immediate need for occupational therapy intervention and services.

Occupational therapy services can address the needs of this population through education, evidence-based practice, environmental and activity modification, ergonomics, and the use of tools and medication. In order to meet these needs and expand our community outreach, the research team developed a continuing education (CE) course focused on tools, techniques, and ergonomic interventions for manual therapists that will be launched on HomeCEU. In addition, the team also launched the final version of our piloted DEx Lite survey. The survey was completed utilizing the online platform, Google Forms, and was taken by manual therapists including occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, certified hand therapists, and chiropractors. A research article was completed and submitted to the Journal of Occupational Therapy Education based on the data that was collected. Furthermore, I completed an in-service on our DEx project where I work, which is at Atlantic Physical & Hand Therapy Center. As my place of employment staffs manual therapists (OTs, PTs, and CHTs), I developed a presentation for the rehabilitation team on injury prevention in the workplace.

Below, you will find the evidence and products of the community experiential component.